Learning to Get Out of God’s Way
After the children of Israel crossed over the Jordan River on dry ground, the Lord directed Joshua to enlist 12 men, one from each tribe, to gather 12 stones from the Jordan River (Josh. 4:3). With these stones, Joshua built a zikkaron (Hebrew for “memorial”) in Gilgal as an object lesson for subsequent Israelite generations. When their children would ask, “What do these stones mean to you?” (v. 6), they would answer, “Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land” (v. 22). They did so “that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever” (v. 24).
Waiting for Healing
In January 2021, my wife, Rachel, began experiencing heart failure symptoms. After a five-day hospitalization, she was diagnosed with pectus excavatum, a condition in which the rib cage and sternum compress the heart cavity, resulting in chest pain, tachycardia, and heart damage. She was in her 30s, and we had four young children.
Her pulmonologist recommended a type of surgery called the Nuss procedure in which two or three steel bars are placed in the chest to lift the compression off the heart. Rachel’s surgery took place in August 2021. The operation seemed to go well, but the recovery was slow and difficult; and five months later, it became apparent the surgery was unsuccessful. She had the same symptoms and limitations, now with added pain and discomfort from the steel bars. Rachel needed a redo surgery. We had no idea how big a problem we were about to face or the miracle God would perform to solve it.
We learned Dr. Dawn Jaroszewski, a surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, was the premier authority on the Nuss procedure. Unfortunately, she was out of our health insurance network. So, we consulted with a doctor in Camden, New Jersey, and a surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). Neither had any confidence they could help Rachel. In fact, the surgeon at UPenn told us, “You know, there’s a surgeon in Phoenix who could help Rachel. If she were my wife, Dr. Jaroszewski is the only surgeon I’d trust.”
With a recommendation and a referral, we called Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. They gave us an appointment for October 2022.
Traveling from our home in New Jersey, where I pastor a church, to Arizona, we wondered how the consultation would go. Would Dr. Jaroszewski be able to help us? Would she agree to take Rachel’s case? After prepaying $5,000 in the finance department for the appointment, we walked into Dr. Jaroszewski’s office. As soon as she walked through the door, we knew we were where we needed to be. She patiently answered all of our questions and placed us on a surgical waiting list.
Even though Mayo Clinic considered us uninsured, a financial counselor there all but guaranteed we would receive financial aid. But, we had to wait. At the time, the waiting list was 10 to 12 months long. We ended up waiting even longer. But in October 2023, we got the call. Surgery was scheduled for January 18, 2024.
We went into a frenzy of planning. We secured our referral from UPenn. We submitted our financial aid application after the surgeon at Mayo Clinic deemed Rachel’s case unique. Everything we researched and were told about the hospital and the state of Arizona indicated the cost would be covered. We just needed an outside board of doctors to give the final approval.
So, we waited and prayed. Many asked us how they could help. We responded, “Everything seems to be taken care of. But if we need something, we’ll let you know.”
A Bitter “No”
On January 2, 2024, a mere 16 days before the surgery, Mayo Clinic called. The board of doctors denied our request. The doctors disagreed with their own thoracic department that Rachel’s was a unique case.
That meant we needed to prepay $118,272.50. No appeal allowed. No payment plan offered. No help from the hospital. We needed to walk in the door with the check or Rachel could not have the surgery. We were devastated. The news sent Rachel into a tailspin. I was shocked as I headed out to a monthly board meeting.
Our conversation over the next 24 hours was a mixture of disbelief and irrational hope that maybe the hospital or our surgeon would call us with another option. A brief salve soothed us the following evening when Rachel’s dad sent her the song “A Better Yes” by Travis Clark, who sings that every “no” means the Lord has a better “yes.” Would we have faith? And how could God turn this crisis into a better “yes”?
Rachel and I resorted to prayer, of course; but we also looked for our own solutions. Like most people, we tried to figure things out on our own, to depend on ourselves, to short-
circuit trials.
For many, this propensity actually becomes an obstacle to salvation, which comes by grace through faith in Jesus. We can do nothing to earn our salvation. Yet, we want to have something to offer to contribute to it. But Christ did everything, so we must first admit we have nothing to offer.
Rachel and I entertained all sorts of ideas. Get a personal loan? Use credit cards? Start looking for new insurance? Get a different job? Move to Arizona? Go back on the waiting list and interpret this crushing cost as God closing the door for now?
A Better “Yes”
During the first week of January, Rachel and I considered every possibility. We prayed that God would move a mountain and that His will would be done. But my attitude was more resignation than expectation.
In the process, God was working on us. The last thing we wanted to do was to broadcast our need. We’re a pastor’s family. It’s easy for us to meet others’ needs. But to ask for help ourselves? Not easy. We didn’t want to burden others. In retrospect, we were also dealing with pride.
Throughout the previous two years, I had been preaching through the book of Isaiah. One key verse for my message the following Sunday morning, January 7, was Isaiah 57:15:
For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Yes, God was working. Would we demonstrate humility? Would we get of out God’s way and let Him work?
Throughout the week, two loved ones encouraged us to let people know of our financial need. One of them gently pointed out that the only real obstacle was our pride. The other excitedly told us he wanted to see God perform a miracle. Both alluded to Exodus 14:13: “Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today.”
Providentially, they wore us down. Rachel wrote out her story, our church set up a special fund, and I swallowed my pride. On Saturday evening, January 6, Rachel’s sister shared Rachel’s story and our need on social media.
The post took off. More than 250 people shared it, and gifts started pouring in almost immediately. When we awoke the next morning, $12,000 had already been raised. By noon, $27,000 had come in online. Our own church family gave thousands of dollars. When we arrived at our evening worship, online giving neared $50,000, with many other gifts promised and mailed to us.
Our excitement was palpable, but we still had some concerns. Would the funds come in time? Would we have to figure something out to complete the needed amount? Rachel’s surgery was only a week and a half away.
After the service, I discovered I had two missed phone calls and a text message from a number not saved in my contact list. Recognizing the name in the text, I called back right away. The voice on the other end picked up and said, “Rachel’s going to have this surgery. Just tell us what you need.” In an act of great faithfulness to the Lord, the donors committed to pay the remaining amount, ensuring we would have the full amount necessary.
In less than 24 hours, God provided all the money we needed. After much deliberation, struggle, and resistance, we stood still and saw the salvation of the Lord (Ex. 14:13).
Our church immediately turned off the special online fund. We had to tell people over and over to stop giving! But the checks kept coming. We saw so many people stunned by God’s provision and blessed to be part of this miracle.
Remembering God’s Glory
Throughout this journey, we’ve learned many lessons. But perhaps most of all, we’ve learned how to get out of God’s way and watch Him work as He cares for His children and reveals His glory for all to see. God could have provided for Rachel’s medical needs in many ways, but it seemed to us that He chose the avenue that would bring Him the most glory.
We desire that the Lord continually receive all the praise for this mighty act. In the week leading up to surgery, God gave us a dozen opportunities to share this story—to Rachel’s surgeon, a stranger, nurses, hospital staff, and others. Our four young children have been amazed by God’s work, and their own faith has grown. Our extended family and friends have shared many stories of Christians encouraged and unbelievers amazed as they watched this miracle unfold. And, I’m delighted to say, the surgery was successful! Rachel’s heart is functioning normally, and she’s made a complete recovery. Praise the Lord!
Asaph the psalmist wrote, “I will remember the works of the LORD; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds” (Ps. 77:11–12). When God performs dramatic miracles, whether He brings His people through the river on dry ground or provides $118,272.50 in a single day for a medical bill, we should remember His works.
About a month after the surgery, I contacted an acquaintance who makes custom wood art. We worked together on a design, and she built a beautiful memorial. Mounted over our piano, this zikkaron reminds our family of God’s power and provision and gives us many opportunities to relate Rachel’s story, so that God once again may be glorified.
